Stuck in a Rut with Sleepys

[phoenix]

Hi bbmouse,

While I can’t help you decide on which mattress is the best match for you in terms of PPP (I can’t feel what you feel or see you on the mattress) or which one would be the best “value” for you for an exchange (which would depend a great deal on which one was the most suitable for you and how comfortable you are with any additional costs) … I can certainly add a few comments that may help.

After lying for a considerable amount of time (perhaps 45 min. – 1 hour on my back and side) on the Contour Elite ($3199), and Contour Rhapsody Breeze ($4199) – which I believe is very similar to Contour Rhapsody Luxe ($3899) in firmness, I feel more inclined to go with the Rhapsody Luxe. Once I experienced the Contour series and then went back to try a few Cloud mattresses (which I had initially liked), I found my inclination toward them changed: either they felt a little too soft or I felt sunk in – they were a bit low (11" - 11.5").

This isn’t unusual because it can take more time for the higher density memory foam in the Contour series to soften with body heat but once it softens they are often “soft enough” although each person will have their own preferences which will also depend on their body type and sleeping positions.

Also, I noted that my upper back became really “warm” around 20 min. in to my laying on it, despite its “SmartClimate System”, which according to the salesperson only feels cooler when you move around. A little confusing as Tempurpedic is primarily known for ensuring you “sleeping in place”.

This is fairly typical of any higher density memory foam mattress with a relatively thin cover. While the cover may wick moisture … the moisture really has nowhere to go because the part of the mattress that is under you isn’t exposed to the air. If you move around then the moisture can evaporate but this may not be meaningful if you are sleeping in the same position for longer periods of time.

Also, the salesperson told me that the Tempurpedic adjusts to room temperature. It was “freezing” in the show room. I actually had to use a light sheett to stop my teeth from chattering. So, I’m not sure how that theory would work in my home, which I keep considerably warmer, along with having a down comforter (in the winter), etc.

Memory foam is a temperature sensitive material and while different types of memory foam can be more or less temperature sensitive than others … all of them will be affected by temperature to some degree. If you sleep on a memory foam mattress for “long enough” for your body heat to soften the foam underneath you then the room temperature will make less difference to the foam directly underneath you (although the foam will take longer to soften in colder rooms) but the parts of your mattress that are more exposed to the room temperature will tend to be firmer when you change position and will once again take a little longer to soften underneath you.

When I similarly experimented on the Rhapsody Breeze, I could feel the temperature of the mattress was a bit cooler – could also have something to with that area of the showroom was much cooler than where the Elite was located. Even so, once on my back, I began to feel my upper back start to get warm.

The effect of gel in memory foam will vary depending on the percentage of gel and how the gel is added to the memory foam but in most cases the effect of gel is more temporary and will only stay cooler until temperatures equalize after which the insulating properties of the memory foam will become more dominant and become warmer. There is more about gel memory foams in post #2 here.

When I brought this issue up to the salesperson, she recommended I get a “wicking” mattress protector (they sell for roughly $200) to go over their mattress cover.

There is more about different types of mattress protectors and their effect on sleeping temperature in post #89 here. The effect of the mattress protector they are suggesting would depend on which type it was. Your sheets can also have a noticeable effect on sleeping temperature and natural fibers (such as cotton or linen more linen) or semi-synthetic fibers such as bamboo or other viscose fabrics will tend to wick or store moisture better than synthetic fibers such as polyester. In many cases the mattress protector and sheets you are using can make “enough” of a difference for many people that would otherwise sleep warmer on memory foam but there will still be some that will tend to sleep warmer on any type of softer memory foam. There is more about all the variables that can affect sleeping temperature in post #2 here and the posts it links to.

And, here’s the other monkey wrench, while trying the mattress, I realize I really like their Ergo adjustable bases, which I already figured out will not fit into my current king platform set-up even with the slats removed only because of the way the base is constructed, where the base is much smaller and pedestal-like than the top portion (upon which the mattress rests). Also, I note when I initially gave you my platform bed configuration, the information was not entirely correct. The slats are actually wider, roughly 3" apart. I note the Rhapsody King is roughly 200 pounds, where as my current GS King mattress is consdierably less?. In your opinion, if I don’t go with the Ergo base/component, will my platform bed hold up under the Rhapsody weight?

I don’t know the specifics of your platform but in general terms if it has a firm non flexing surface with good center support to the floor it would generally work well in practical terms but this may not be “good enough” for Tempurpedic and I would also be aware that Tempurpedic specifies a solid surface foundation in their warranty (see here) and they are rather vague about their other requirements except to say that you may need to “prove” that your foundation is suitable for their mattress if you ever have a warranty claim if you use any foundation other than theirs. At the very least it’s clear that you would need suitable solid surface support system. If you have an adjustable bed with a solid surface then there would be no doubt that it would be suitable by their standards.

If you do decide to go with an adjustable base then there is more information in post #3 here and the adjustable bed thread that may be helpful because there are some better value options than the ones that Tempurpedic sells that have very similar functions but aren’t “branded” as a Tempurpedic.

It seems like you are making some good progress with your research although I know that you have some “difficult” choices to make.

Phoenix